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Article
Is Multifix the right fit for you?

In the world of construction, it’s very important that you have a supplier whom you can trust, who is reliable and who understands your needs. After all, not having the right construction supplier can lead to many problems.  Above all else, it can be hugely detrimental to your work. Not having items turn up on time – or at all – can be costly, in more ways than one. At Multifix, that is where we step in. With speed, reliability and a personal touch at the heart of what we do, we have been supplying the construction industry for 30 years and counting. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we are right for you.  Obviously, as a business first and foremost, we love having new customers onboard to supply the products for their projects. We love helping new people, seeing the progress you make and knowing we’ve been a small part of that along the way. But, we don’t cater for everyone. There was a time when Multifix tried to service nearly every sector, but we found we couldn’t provide the best service by spreading ourselves so thinly. Now we are more focused and can really tailor our solutions to our customers’ needs.  With that in mind then, here is an explanation of who we believe we’re a good fit for and who we aren’t. Who is a GOOD fit for Multifix? If you’re a:  specialist carpentry,  brickwork, or firestopping or refurbishment contractor then we absolutely can help you with whatever you need. This is especially the case with the three mentioned. Whether it’s first and second-fix carpenters or housebuilders, our products and service can be a great asset for you and your company. When it comes to carpentry, brickwork and passive fire, we specialise in these sectors. We have dedicated teams allocated to each industry to help you not only get the best service, but the best products for the job. If you work in refurbishment, we don’t cover that as broadly, but we still do have speciality areas we can provide for. The reason why we don’t cover it in as much depth is because we don’t have the product range for it. If you’re based in London or the south-east especially, we really can be of use. We have a 5pm cut-off time for our own van next-day delivery, with a fleet of our own drivers nearby to get your goods to you quickly. If it’s outside of our reach and going nationwide, it’s a 4pm cut-off time and we will send a courier. You can see a full breakdown of where we deliver to here.  Who is a BAD fit for Multifix? The short answer would be anyone that hasn’t been mentioned, as we don’t stock the specialist range of products the sectors need to complete projects. However, that is a slightly flawed response, as while we don’t have a full range of stock for the other sectors, we do still supply some products of note. One exception to this though, is mechanical and electrical. We simply don’t have the correct range of stock for that sector, as we’ve discontinued many of our mechanical and electrical product lines, so we are not a good fit for companies in that realm. When it comes to groundwork contractors or RC frame workers, we also don’t have the range. We do offer resins and basic hand tools, but we don’t supply much more beyond that for that industry. It’s a similar story with management-only main contractors. We do supply a wide range of PPE, which you can find out more about here, but the clothes and helmets are all unbranded. When it comes to clothing, we only offer non-branded items of PPE. The only slight exception to the rule is with the dry-lining sector. Unlike the others mentioned, we do have a wide range of fixings available for dry lining. We don’t have the more specialist items, but we do have a strong supply of dry-lining fixings. We also stock some metalwork, but the caveat to that is that, much like the PPE, it’s all unbranded. We also don’t stock British Gypsum, which we know can be a deal-breaker with the dry-lining sector. Factoring in everything, we are perhaps more of a partial fit for dry-lining, but not quite a round peg in a round hole. Making sure Multifix is right for you One of the main points of this article is that we don’t want to let you down. We don’t want you to waste your time asking us for products we don’t stock, for sectors we don’t cater for. It may mean we get fewer calls or emails as a result. However, if it means the ones coming in are from people who know we’re a good fit for them, that’s in everyone’s best interests. We take great pride in what we have achieved in the carpentry, brickwork and passive fire sectors, in addition to refurbishment. If you would like to browse our range, you can do so here. Equally, if you wish to speak to one of our expert teams about an upcoming project or anything else, you can do so here.

Read more → 4 min read
Article
Top three Ancon products (and what we stock at Multifix)

If the structural integrity of a building isn’t strong enough, the most extreme possibility is collapse.  Therefore, it cannot be stressed enough how vital the structural integrity of a building is; especially a high-rise building. Ultimately, it’s safety on the line. Without structural integrity, the damage possibilities are huge. In addition, the harm to your reputation for a poorly constructed high-rise would be catastrophic for you. Other legal issues could come from that, which will likely lead to fines or lawsuits. The building itself would lose value and residents may have to be evacuated while it gets sorted. All of this hassle, all of this financial expense and all of this reputational damage can be avoided if the right materials are used in the first place. This is one of the reasons we insist on stocking products of good quality, to prevent this issue. It’s also one of the reasons we stock Ancon products. Ancon’s products are renowned for their quality and above all else, for being trustworthy and reliable. In this article, we have cherry-picked our top three Ancon products and explored how they can help you. 1. The Ancon 25/14 channel system The 25/14 restraint system is designed to fix the outer leaf of brickwork onto a light steel frame. It can do so through any type of insulation. By doing so, it secures and stabilises the brickwork in a building. This in turn stops the brickwork from failing, in addition to stopping things like cracking or movement. The system comprises three parts: the wall ties, the high-thread fixing screws and the compression sleeves. The high-thread fixing screws are self-drilling and they go straight through the channel and insulation into the steel. The maximum combined insulation and backing board thickness is 220mm, while any insulation board that goes with it has a maximum thickness of 180mm. Multifix can deliver all three components for the 25/14 channel system; you can find the wall ties here and the fixing screws here. The compression sleeves are made to measure, but we can get them for you with some advanced information. As we mentioned earlier, Ancon products are renowned for their quality and they are more than happy to back that up. If you install a 25/14 channel system, you will have a 60-year warranty for that. 2. Ancon AMR Masonry Reinforcement If you need to strengthen masonry panels without thickening the wall, then the Ancon AMR Masonry Reinforcement is ideal. A fabricated steel reinforcement system, the Ancon AMR Masonry Reinforcement is located in the bed joint to bolster it. To make sure there’s always good mortar cover, even when used with wall ties or lapped, the longitudinal steel wires have been flattened. It also meets the requirements of BS EN 845-3:2003, which gives peace of mind as that rating is an NHBC requirement when it comes to bed joint reinforcements. The widths come in either 60mm, 100mm, 150mm or 175mm and are designed for use with wall widths from 100mm to 215mm. The Ancon AMR Masonry Reinforcement comes in packs of 20 and you can see our whole range for the product here. 3. Ancon IHR-V Internal Head Restraint The Ancon IHR-V Internal Head Restraint serves as a method of securing the upper part of internal walls, or the upper section of the inner leaf in a cavity wall. Designed with a sealed front to prevent mortar from entering, the stem channel is also able to allow for vertical movement between the blockwork and the structure. The restraint is made up of two parts – a moveable top section and a stem. The standard length of the sliding top section can accommodate a 50mm gap, however, extended sections are available. The extended sections will go to 75mm, which is very handy if you’re looking to incorporate a firestopping solution at the top of the wall. In addition, it’s useful if you’re expecting more deflection inside the floor. As for the stem, it’s perfectly suitable for a 215mm high block. If you are working on a taller block, then it is possible to request IHR stems that can do the job. However, it might not be possible to get a stem for a gap exceeding 40mm above the block. You can purchase the Ancon IHR-V Internal Head Restraint (IHR-V) here. Get the best Ancon products to help you As we said earlier, the structural integrity of a building must be not only kept but also protected. It is for that reason that we stock Ancon, as we really believe that their products will do a lot more than just tick a box. We only have a limited range of Ancon products for now, with a focus on the essentials, but we are looking to grow that. We will be the first to let you know when we add more products to the range. If you would like to see our Ancon range, you can do so here. However, whether you choose Ancon or another manufacturer, you will need a good brickwork supplier to get the job done. Find out what to look for in a brickwork supplier here.

Read more → 4 min read
Video
Quick Set Up | Site Manager Guide

This is the first video in the series for the super user & office manager portal onboarding guide. See full guide: https://multifix.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/MultifixSharePointSite/Documents/EYpLt6wosqZNowqRkSIFYxIB8TvHqMgc0hA-yST-ZeQhZg?e=bTVqd2

Read more → 3 min watch
Video
Quick Set Up | Super User & Office Manager Guide

This is the first video in the series for the super user & office manager portal onboarding guide. For the full guide, download here: https://multifix.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/MultifixSharePointSite/Documents/EbLHnngZoclMo-oKzdv7V7EBeP3t9uNzAydqeQQID8gzQg?e=I01wme Contact us: 020 3248 4086 or [email protected] Book a demo here: coming soon.

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Article
Why has Multifix partnered with Protecta?

The passive fire protection sector is home to many outstanding companies. All of these offer revolutionary and life-saving solutions, which is hugely important.  In a strange way, that makes choosing the right one difficult. While there’s a lot of choice, you want to pick one that’s best suited for you and your needs.  As such, one question we get quite regularly is “Why have you partnered with Protecta? Why don’t you supply other fire-stopping products as well?” There are several reasons why we chose to partner with Protecta in late 2021 and it’s a decision that we believe has been an exceptional one. After reaching out to us because of our service, we’ve not looked back and it’s been a hugely productive relationship. In this article, we will highlight three of the main reasons why we wanted to partner with Protecta and how they can help you with your projects.  We want to give you full transparency as to why we’re doing what we’re doing, so this is one method of doing so.  1. We feel Protecta’s product testing is superior While the saying “if you stand still, you fall behind” is certainly true in most walks of life, it is especially pertinent in the PFP sector.  As such, Protecta are continuously testing to make sure they stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new regulations. Protecta has a dedicated testing facility in Norway, which is frequently used as they seek to add as many ratings as they can. In addition, they also regularly carry out tests at Warrington Fire. Whether it’s European Technical Assessments (ETAs) or CE-marked ratings, Protecta uses its testing facilities to the maximum to make its products as safe as possible.  In fact, every single Protecta product is CE-marked and all of them come with their own ETAs and UK Certificates of Competency (COCs).  2. Protecta are constantly developing their products Following on from testing, the development of Protecta’s products is continuous. As mentioned above, the company are always seeking to add additional ratings, thus making them safe in other aspects.  The result is that Protecta ends up with a host of innovative products, all of which comply with various fire ratings. Perhaps the most notable recent example is the 80mm FR Board. This has been developed to the point it outperforms some competitor products. The 80mm board has a 160kg density, but the FSi, Quelfire and Nullifire fire boards have a density of 140kg. This means that the Protecta board is sturdier, but it also makes it easier to cut as a result. As a rule of thumb, the denser the board, the easier it is to operate. That being said, some do prefer a lower-density board due to its flexibility when it comes to fitting into openings. However, the Protecta board will be easier to work with.  It has that improved aspect because Protecta is always working on upgrades, which is also why we have partnered with them.  3. Protecta’s technical support is outstanding As we have touched upon in our ‘The two key problems with technical support in the PFP technical sector’ article, we believe Protecta’s technical support is exceptional. Whether it’s providing assessment details with good communication, or being able to test something for you, Protecta is always on hand.  They aim to respond to all queries within 24 hours and if they can do an assessment detail, the wait time is generally three to five days.  Given time can be of the essence, having that kind of technical support on hand is a huge plus. In addition, the level of training Protecta provide is very good.  The training doesn’t cost anything and Protecta experts can be at your office to teach, or you can have access to them at an external site.  Besides doing product training, the Protecta experts excel elsewhere, too. They can also deliver RIBA-accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars, which are useful.  We believe you can benefit from using Protecta While we try to be impartial and unbiased when we write articles, on this occasion it’s slightly different as we’re explaining ourselves.  Ultimately, the three things we’ve listed are all things we believe set them apart from what is a very competitive field.  We mentioned other fire-stopping contractors earlier. We know they have outstanding offerings that can very comfortably give you what you need.  However, we feel that Protecta’s offering is something that suits us and more importantly, can suit you as installers.  If you would like any further information about Protecta or its product portfolio, you can get in touch with a team member here. Equally, if you would like to read more about Protecta, you can find out more about their FR Acrylic here. 

Read more → 4 min read
Article
Polymer adhesive showdown: Stuck-It Extreme vs. the CT1

There are several things to factor in when picking what polymer adhesive to use. Cost, performance, what’s in it, smell…a lot of boxes must be ticked before deciding. It’s an important decision as it’s imperative that whatever polymer adhesive you use doesn’t lead to snagging. Snagging can cause you a lot of issues, which is inconvenient, to put it mildly. The last thing you’ll need is to spend more time fixing something that could’ve been done right the first time of asking. When time is money, this is an extra task you don’t need. As such, getting the right sealant is crucial. This is one of the reasons why Multifix opted to own-brand the Stuck-It Extreme. A premium performance polymer adhesive and sealant, it’s been used by you for many a project with great effect. In fact, it’s certainly proved popular with you as it’s on our top five most popular Multifix own-brand products list. However, it is not the market-leading product and nor would we pretend it to be. That honour lies with the CT1, which – like the Hoover – is so good that it’s the go-to name for polymer adhesive now. But how does it compare to the CT1? Can it match it in performance, can it beat it on price, is there anything it can do differently? Those are the questions we will be looking at for this article, as we explore the pros and cons of both products and how they fare against each other. While we own-brand the Stuck-It Extreme, we will be objective in our comparison. What are the pros for the CT1? The CT1 is a solvent-free polymer adhesive, which is UV resistant and can work in both wet and dry conditions. It doesn’t shrink after application, it’s weather resistant and it is also odourless. In addition, it is extremely resistant to chemicals and vibration, which makes it ideal for areas with lots of traffic or heavy winds. It is also fast curing and has a high-strength grab. What makes it very handy though is that it comes in a plethora of colours. You can get the CT1 in nine colours, including white, clear, black, beige and grey. There is no difference in cost for a different colour either, which is very useful. It has also acquired certification from the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association. This further emphasises how safe it is to use in a household. And the cons of the CT1? The cost of the CT1 is significantly higher than either version of the Stuck-It Extreme. In fact, the clear Stuck-It Extreme is less than half the price of a CT1. Given that the CT1 is seen as the market leader, it’s possible these prices are set because of that. However, that isn’t especially helpful when you can get two similarly performing cartridges for the same price as one. With the CT1, you do get an excellent, brilliantly marketed product that has many strengths and can be used on a variety of surfaces. But that comes at a cost. We aren’t just talking about £1 or £2 difference, either. It’s either 41% or 55% more expensive than the Stuck-It Extreme, which is a big difference. What about the pros of the Stuck-It Extreme? The Stuck-It Extreme can do everything listed in the first two sentences for the CT1 pros. Performance-wise, there really isn’t a great deal between the pair and that is something that has taken a lot of effort. The main pro for the Stuck-It Extreme is its price tag. There are two variants of the Stuck-It Extreme that you can buy; white or clear. The white variant has a list price of £6.23 ex. VAT, while the clear version has a list price of £8.14 ex. VAT. Both cartridges are 290ml, which is the same as the CT1. For context, a 290ml cartridge of CT1 has a list price of £13.80, so the cost difference between the two is very notable. And what cons does the Stuck-It Extreme have? Unlike the CT1, the Stuck-It Extreme only comes in two colours – clear and white. In addition, the clear one has a higher list price than the white one, with a £1.91 difference between the two. By contrast, the CT1 has nine different colours and they are all priced the same. While the clear Stuck-It Extreme does cost more to make, it is a jump between the two and can be seen as off-putting. The lack of aesthetic choices does present a problem as well, which is a problem the CT1 doesn’t have, thanks to its wide selection. Finally, the mere fact it’s a competitor can be seen as a con, due to CT1’s brand superiority. As we touched upon earlier, no-one refers to a vacuum cleaner as that – they just call it a Hoover. It’s no different with a polymer adhesive, which people subconsciously refer to as a CT1. Shaking that is difficult as people want products that have stood the test of time for years. How do I choose between the two? The things we mentioned at the start of the article – performance, what’s in it and smell – are all pretty even. Both are solvent-free, both have very high performance levels and both are odourless. Choosing between the two will come down to two things; your budget and the materials you’re working with on your project. If you are working with something with a brown, oak or beige-coloured surface, then you can get a better aesthetic fit with the CT1. However, if price is your primary concern, then you can get a similarly performing product in the Stuck-It Extreme for much less than you’d pay for a CT1. If you would like to find out more about the Stuck-It Extreme, then a member of our expert team would be happy to assist you. You can find out how to do so here. Equally, if you would like to look at purchasing it, you can do so here.

Read more → 5 min read
Article
Why does Protecta FR Acrylic cost more?

When it comes to passive fire protection, the product price isn’t the be-all and end-all. The main thing that matters is safety, which you can’t put a price on.  However, if you can get a product that can keep people safe for cheaper, we understand this is a path you’re likely to take.  But, if you can get all the standards and proven quality, we believe that is worth a bit extra. That is why Multifix stocks Protecta’s FR Acrylic as, even though it costs more, we believe it’s worth it. Why do we believe it’s worth it, though? Why is the higher price justified? Why shouldn’t you just go with a cheaper option that does the same thing and is as safe? Those are some of the questions that we’ll be looking to cover in this article. We’ll explain why we value it the way we do, what it’s capable of and why it might be right for you. What is the price of Protecta FR acrylic? There are two versions of the Protecta FR Acrylic that we sell. The first is the FR Acrylic 310ml Cart 4Hr Intumescent Sealant, which has a list price of £3.06 ex. VAT. The second is the FR Acrylic 310ml Cart 4Hr Intumescent Pure White, which has a list price of £4.06 ex. VAT. The difference between the two is that the cheaper one is off-white, whereas the more expensive one is pure white. The pure white one is a better fit if cosmetics are a factor, as it’s not as obvious on the surface. Aside from that, it’s the same product. In addition, we also sell two foils to complement the FR Acrylic. The Eco-Foil is designed to reduce waste on-site, as you simply put the foils into the empty cartridges. Multifix stocks the 300ml and 600ml foils, which have list prices of £2.77 and £4.51 respectively, ex. VAT. How much more expensive are FR Acrylics compared to competitors? The answer ranges from a little bit, to quite a bit. The list price of the Quelfire QuelStop 310ml costs £2.95 ex. VAT, while the Nullifire FS702 310ml list price is £3.35 ex. VAT. Meanwhile, the FSi Pyrocoustic 310ml has a list price of £2.15 ex. VAT.  Equally, the Pyroplex Intumescent Acrylic Sealant costs £2.09 ex. VAT and the FS4 Fireshield AC Intumescent Acrylic costs £1.94 ex. VAT. It is worth noting that we do not stock any of these products.  As such then, only one of the five mentioned is more expensive than the FR Acrylic, while none cost more than the FR Acrylic in white.  Why is the FR Acrylic more expensive? There are two reasons why Protecta’s FR Acrylic is more expensive: It isn’t just exclusively used for non-combustible pipes, as it can also be used for cable bundles It can be used in pipes up to 32mm diameter The first point is arguably ample reason as is, given the versatility aspects can really help you when firestopping. However, it is the second point where the FR Acrylic really earns its value.  Whether non-combustible or combustible, FR Acrylic be used on pipes up to 32mm in diameter. This is a notable difference as none of the competitors listed can go to 32mm pipe diameter. Acrylics are suited for 10-30mm openings and for anything above 30mm, you would normally have to use graphite instead. Graphite is more expensive than acrylics; for context, a 310ml cartridge of FR Graphite from Protecta costs £6.04 ex. VAT.  Therefore, if you have a diameter space that the acrylic can fill instead of graphite, you’ll save yourself a lot of money in the long run. Is there anything else that makes it more expensive? Yes – the movement it offers. The QuelStop and Pyroplex can allow a maximum movement capability of 7.5%, but the FR Acrylic goes further and offers you 12.5%. The maximum movement capability is how much the sealant will expand in the event of a fire before cracking. The more it can expand, the better it can protect you, so to be 5% up on competitor products is huge. It has also been independently verified for use with cPVC pipes, such as the Blazemaster. It isn’t on the Lubrizol-approved list but is still cleared for use.  Is there anything another product can do better? In the balance of fairness, we will highlight a few areas where other products have something of an advantage over the FR Acrylic. The most notable one is the gaps for linear joints, whether they’re concrete or gypsum board. The FR Acrylic has a maximum width of 30mm; any wider than that and the product can crack and shrink. By comparison, the QuelStop is suitable for linear joints up to 50mm wide when it comes to concrete to concrete, steel or softwood. However, it only goes to 20mm wide for a gypsum board with a steelhead track. The FSi Pyrocoustic eclipses both as it also goes to 50mm wide gaps for linear joints but for all materials. Finally, when it comes to acoustic protection, there’s very little in it. That being said, while the FR Acrylic can offer acoustic protection of Rw 62 dB, both the QuelStop and the FSi Pyrocoustic can offer up to Rw 63 dB. Is the FR Acrylic worth the extra then? As we said at the start of the article, we do believe so. The extra 5% manoeuvrability is a big plus, but being able to use it for diameter gaps up to 32mm is huge. Also, the fact it can be used with cPVC pipes isn’t to be dismissed. When the alternative is graphite, the FR Acrylic is a cheaper option in the long run. The maximum width of 30mm for linear joints can be an issue, but considering everything, you’ll get your money’s worth with the FR Acrylic. You also get a lot of technical support with the FR Acrylic as well. To find out more about the technical support and what you should be looking for with it, read this article. 

Read more → 5 min read
Article
The cost of construction: four factors why Multifix isn’t the cheapest

The cost of construction isn’t cheap. Project prices are rising and we know that it is currently a difficult market for housebuilders at present. With this in mind, one of the main courses of dialogue we have is around pricing. Understandably, you want to know that you’re getting value for your hard-earned money. You want to know that the products you’ve bought will be more than good enough to get the job done. Risks can’t be afforded as time is money.  Multifix has always tried to be cost-effective in how we operate, however, we can’t always guarantee that we’re going to be the cheapest option on the market.  That leads to us being asked questions on occasion. You will have seen something somewhere else and understandably want to know why we are charging more.  With that in mind, we thought it would be best to be transparent with you and explain our reasons. We always want to be honest with you and that extends to how we run our business, too. In this article, we will highlight four factors why we don’t have the lowest prices and explain our reasoning. 1. We utilise our own fleet of vans To give you the best service, we have our own fleet of vans and our own drivers, who operate from our warehouse in Barking. It would be cheaper for us to only operate with couriers, but that comes with the risk of missed or late deliveries that result in generally poor service. As the old saying goes, if you want a job done right, do it yourself. Our van delivery success rate is 99.3% and we simply cannot guarantee that percentage with couriers. This impacts you because it means that, assuming you are within our geographic reach, you’re almost guaranteed to get your delivery on time. There is minimal risk of delay and 70% of the time, the delivery is with you before 12pm midday.  This means that you can get cracking straight away, without losing time and going a step closer to getting the job done.  Of course, we do use couriers for areas our fleet can’t get to if so required, but the vast majority of our deliveries are done by our internal fleet. That is one of the reasons why we aren’t the least expensive. In addition to paying our drivers a fair salary while maintaining and supplying our fleet, we’re also always looking to improve. 2. Centralised operations in Barking come with a higher cost of business We are very fortunate to be in a strategic location here in the southeast for our customers. However, that real estate does have its price tag. Put bluntly, our overheads for being located where we are in Barking are much higher than they would be for other parts of the country. However, being where we are is much more sustainable than being in another part of the UK. If we did, we would need to put absolutely everything on couriers, which would be much cheaper but wouldn’t give you the same service. As we mentioned above, having speedy deliveries that reliably turn up on time is so important. It’s something that we’re happy to pay the cost for, as it makes your lives much easier.  In addition, the environmental side of things is better as we can plot our routes with our sustainable focus in mind. As a company, we have pledged to be much more sustainable and have already made a lot of changes to try and ensure that we are doing so. You can find out more about that here.   We wouldn’t want to sacrifice our service by being anywhere else, but unfortunately, it is a factor as to why we aren’t super cheap. 3. Multifix only stocks products of very high quality A crucial factor contributing to overall cost is the actual products themselves. At Multifix, we insist on stocking good products of good quality, as we feel that is the very least you should be operating with. As such, we don’t go for the super cheap materials because we know they won’t do the job your standards demand. In addition, we also stock a plethora of big-name brands that have been supplying items for decades. This includes the likes of Paslode, Ancon, Bosch, Protecta and Visqueen, all of whom excel in their respective sectors.   This is perhaps the most straightforward reason for our prices not being the lowest, as we aren’t selling the cheapest products. That isn’t to say there aren’t bargains to be found, but everything we stock is of proven industry-level quality. 4. Our customer service team is always ready to help While we do have a 99.3% delivery success rate with our own vans, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Equally, maybe something has come up and you need advice quickly. In these scenarios, we would much rather you speak to a human being rather than wait for an email response. As such, we are proud to have a hard-working and knowledgeable customer service team, who are only a phone call away to field your questions. The option to talk through an issue with a human being isn’t something to be underestimated. We are also currently in the process of getting a live chat ready, as we understand the importance of time.  The quicker the response, the quicker you can get back to your tasks. The best way to give you a quick response is to speak to you in real-time, so that is why we insist on having a dedicated customer service team. When you have a query or an issue, we don’t want you waiting for an email response or to have bad service. It can disrupt your projects and that’s the last thing we want for you.  Ultimately though, it does come at a cost and that is one of the key factors why we don’t have the lowest prices.  A belief we are the best for the job Taking everything into consideration, we do believe that we offer fair and competitive pricing. We accept we don’t have the lowest prices, but there is a good reason for that. Hopefully after reading this article and seeing the four points in question, you’ll be more understanding as to why we charge what we do. If you would like to discuss our price options in further detail with a member of our expert team, you can find out how to do so here.

Read more → 5 min read
Article
October 2023 Portal Updates

The Multifix Customer Portal Multifix strives to continually build and improve our Customer Portal to ensure your procurement is an easy and simple process. Our quotation process is improving. Here's what that will mean for you: All quotations and order acknowledgments will now be automatically sent through email. The 'View Quote' button will then take you to your quote within our Customer Portal.  Note that if you are the company admin, you will see all company quotes. If you do not have a Customer Portal account, you will be able to view the quotations and order acknowledgments but you will not be able to do anything further.  Sign up to the Customer Portal now for full access. As seen above, you are then taken to your quote. At the bottom of each quote will be 3 buttons.  Reject Quote: This will then pop up a quick message asking the reasons for rejection.  Save For Later: This will save your quote so you can place it another time.  Edit & Confirm Quote: This will allow you to add or take items off your order and place your order once you are happy.  You can also add a comment under the 'Comments' section where you can ask any questions or queries which will go straight to our Sales team. What else has improved? Note: Spend limit is set within the user permission of each user. Requisitions have to be enabled on each user for this to work. Lastly, for our mobile users on the Portal, our footer has changed.  Your footer will now contain shortcuts to the most used items from our Portal interface

Read more → 1 min read
Article
Should you use a PPN nailer over loose twist nails?

No matter what we do for work, we will always be on the lookout for ways to make our lives easier and carpenters are no different. Whether it’s to do a job better or to do it quicker without cutting corners, we’re always hearing about how you want to boost efficiency. One recent suggestion was whether it was worth using a PPN nailer instead of using loose twist nails for projects. Some have claimed that the time saved by using one is notable, which is helping you complete projects quicker, but without losing out on quality.  At Multifix, we stock both PPN nails and loose twist nails, so we’re well-placed to offer an objective view on the matter. That’s why we’ve written this article, as we have weighed up the pros and cons of both. Come the end of the article, you’ll know their strong points, weaknesses and what projects they’re best suited to. What is the main difference between a PPN nailer and loose twist nails? When you use a PPN nailer, you are using a nail gun to fire nails into a material. When you are using loose twist nails, you are physically taking the nail with your hands and placing it into the material with a hammer. Essentially then, it is a case of determining whether using a machine is better than using your own two hands for a project. What are the pros of a PPN nailer? Speed and precision are two of the most important aspects of a carpenter’s job and a PPN nailer can provide both in abundance. The nailers themselves are designed for consistent speed and it’s also very quick to reload them, so if you’re up against it, they are valuable. They also have a collation system installed, which will give you a very uniform and precise finish when you actually fire the nails. Above all else though, they are simply very easy to use. PPN nailers are extremely user-friendly; they are easy to load and you can use them for a while without being tired. As such, you can crack on with them without having to worry about too much. And the pros for loose twist nails? If you want an exact finish, then loose twist nails are the way to guarantee it. For those who may not know, an exact finish is something that is incredibly precise. With loose twist nails, there’s no anticipating where a nail might go, as you decide exactly where it is inserted into the material. Therefore, if you want the highest level of control, then loose twist nails are the best thing you can use. You also have much more manoeuvrability when using loose twist nails, too. They couldn’t be much simpler to use, either. All you need to do is pinpoint where you want the nail to go with one hand and hammer it in with the other. It’s a method that has stood the test of time, as for decades this has been a highly effective way of getting the job done. They’re also very cheap, which is a big pro. What about the cons of PPN nailers? While they are quick and accurate, PPN nailers are generally quite heavy. This is because they’re quite bulky, so they’re not the most comfortable or easy to move about. This in turn means that they’re not the best suited for small projects. When it comes to things like trim work or furniture assembly, where it’s not so much about speed, but being able to move freely to be precise, they’re a bit heavy-handed. You may also have a misfire or a jam when using a PPN nailer, which can add time to your day if it’s not a quick fix. What cons do loose twist nails have? Speed. If you don’t have time on your side, you could spend hours on a project individually hammering each nail in. By contrast, using a nailer would do it in a fraction of the time. If you’re on a big project and have to use loose twist nails, you could potentially add days onto the projected completion time. As a result, not only are you going to suffer from a lack of speed, but you’re going to have deadlines bearing on you as well. Which is best for my project? Unless you’re working on a small project, using a PPN nailer is always going to be more efficient. Everything is faster, you still get precise finishing and you can get so much more done. However, if you are working on a smaller project and space isn’t on your side, using loose twist nails is likely to be a great shout. They’re a massive budget saver compared to using a PPN nailer, you can afford to be exact and while it will take longer, you can almost guarantee accuracy. We understand that the cost of a nailer and the nails that come with it can seem steep, but if you would like to discuss pricing with our team, you can do so here.

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Article
Your top five most popular Multifix own-brand products

It’s always fascinating to see what products are popular and at Multifix, we are no different. We’re always keen to see what you’re liking and how we can improve on that product range, if indeed we can.  We have a number of own-branded products that we stock, but which ones are really taking your fancy? Which ones are the most popular? That is what we sought to find out for this article. By doing some number crunching from sales data in 2023, we have identified our top five best-selling own-branded products. Without further ado, here is the list, from five to one.  5) General Purpose Silicone Starting us off is our General Purpose (GP) Silicone, which comes in 280ml cartridges in either clear or white. GP Silicone is a general-purpose sealant and can be used for a variety of tasks. These include glazing, joint sealing, roofing, concrete repair and more.  The GP Silicone is acid-curing and is suitable for use on all common non-porous building materials. This would include glass, metal, plastic and concrete, amongst others.  In addition, the GP Silicone has a strong adhesion and also contains anti-fungicide, which makes it ideal for bathrooms.  4) Stuck-It Extreme Up next is the Stuck-It Extreme, which is our solvent-free polymer adhesive. Designed to seal gaps where a strong and waterproof finish is needed, the product, which is VOC-free, is rather popular.  One possible reason for this is because it can be used as a sealant, in addition to its primary use as an adhesive. This, in turn, saves you from getting both! It can also replace screws or nails in some situations, for example when putting up a bathroom mirror, while it also comes in a variety of colours.  3) Grab-It Much like the Stuck-It Extreme, the Grab-It is also solvent-free, but has a slightly different primary purpose. It’s mainly used as a panel adhesive, so it can bond skirtings and architraves.  It can be used on wet or damp surfaces and even underwater applications, if needed. The Grab-It also does a great job of reducing snagging, which is down to the high initial grab and lack of slip.  Finally, it comes in a 350ml tube, so you get quite a fair bit for your money – something you clearly agree with! 2) Probuild Gold screws Coming in second place are our Probuild Gold screws, which are trade woodscrews and come in a number of different sizes and capacities.  The screws themselves are deep threaded, while they also come with yellow passivated coating. This coating means they are more durable and resistant to corrosion than non-passivated coated screws.  In addition, the screws come with a self-starting point, a double countersunk head and a Pozi recess. All of this is for ease of use, as making installation easier can only be a good thing. 1) FSA intumescent At number one is our FSA Fire Rated Intumescent & Acoustic Sealant Mastic! The acrylic sealant’s primary purpose is to stop fire from penetrating a door space, which it does by swelling at 125 degrees. The sealant, which is available in both 310ml and 900ml cartridges, has been fire-graded at BS EN 1366-4, BS476-20 and BS476-22 ratings. In addition, it also has a four-hour integrity and insulation rating and can also be used around pipes and cables to try and prevent the spread of a fire.  Multifix products are here to help you The main reason why we do our own-brand products is because we want to help you. We want you to have good quality products that can get the job done well and in some instances, for less money.  That’s why we’re continuously looking for other ways in which we can expand our range, so to see our own-brand products fare so well is always hugely promising.  We also stock a host of other own-branded products which aren’t on this list, such as blades, masonry screws and packers, amongst others.  If you would like to speak to a member of our expert team to find out more about them, you can get in touch with us here. 

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Article
Our five most frequently asked questions about Paslode training

Being one of the leading brands in carpentry, there is always a lot that people want to know about Paslode. Given nail guns are an investment, people want to know everything they can about what they offer before they commit to buying their products.  At Multifix, we have answered 20 of your most frequently asked Paslode questions here, but we also get a fair few questions in relation to training.  The training relates to the nail guns specifically, so to save you a phone call or an email, we thought it would be best to have the key answers in one place.  As such, we have spoken to both our expert sales and customer service teams and collated the five most pressing questions that we are asked.  What exactly does Paslode nail gun training entail? Paslode nail gun training is split into two parts: installer training and staff training. Nearly all of the times we are asked about it, it is related to installer training, but we’ll explain both anyway.  Installer training is an introduction to Paslode tools. It is devised to train you on how to operate the nail guns, how to use the fuel cells and batteries and how to maintain them. You will also be told what PPE you need when using a Paslode nail gun, so the health and safety side of it is covered too.  Staff training on the other hand is specifically for those in the office. It offers insight as to why people use Paslode nails, in addition to giving information on nail packs, fuel cells and the nailers themselves.  How much does Paslode nail gun training cost? All Paslode nail gun training comes at zero cost – it’s completely free.  Can you come down to a site and do the training? At Multifix, we have two Paslode-trained experts who can come down to a site and perform training, yes. However, there is a much simpler way, which we will come onto next… Can you do Paslode training online? Yes, you can and in fact, this way is better and more convenient for you as well. By following this website, you can access both training courses and do whichever one is best for you.  There is a small test at the end of each course, all based on the training before it and if you pass that, you immediately get your certificate.  One of the issues with doing the training in person is that it can take some time for your certificate to be processed and then posted. As such, the online course is much more efficient as you get it immediately after.  Naturally, if you have someone physically showing you and talking through everything, that is going to be better training for you. However, the online course is probably more convenient for you.  Both the installer and staff training courses take about half an hour or so to complete, so neither will eat up too much of your time.   On the topic of certification, your training certificate lasts two years, so you’ll need to redo it whenever the time comes.  Are the courses available in any other languages?  Unfortunately, the online course is only available in English. If you have non-English speaking staff, it could be an idea to do it in person and have a translator present.  The importance of the Paslode training The reason why we get asked so much is because Paslode training is very important. Without it, you aren’t technically qualified or deemed safe to use their nail guns.  With this article though, you should hopefully be more informed when it comes to what’s involved in the training and how to actually get it done.  It’s also a very nice bonus that the training is free, so aside from half an hour of your time, it comes at no cost to you.  If you would like to know more about Paslode products or the training itself, please feel free to contact our team here. 

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Article
The two key things to look for in a brickwork supplier

When it comes to choosing your brickwork supplier, you need to know you’re in safe hands. Poor service or quality can lead to delays, lost revenue and even a damaged reputation. As such, you must know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you sign up with anyone. At Multifix, we have been supplying contractors in the construction industry for over 30 years now. In that time, we’ve picked a few things up along the way. Given brickwork is one of our specialist sectors, we believe we have found a winning formula to give you what you need when shopping for supplies. With that in mind, we have listed the two main things you need to find out when you’re looking for a brickwork supplier. Do they stock the best brickwork products? With brickwork especially, you must be using good products. Whether it be for durability, weather resistance or structural integrity, shortcuts are quickly exposed. As such, having proven products is essential. It’s one of the main reasons why we stock leading brands, such as ARC, Vista, Timlock, Rytons and Ancon. In addition, we are proud to be a premium distributor of industry leaders Visqueen and their DPC. For those unaware, DPC is short for damp-proof course membrane and stops moisture rising through walls or floors in homes. Taking this into account, when you’re looking at who to be your supplier, check to see exactly what kind of products they have. If you see their ranges or product agreements and don’t feel confident in what you’re seeing, even if it’s cheap, walk away and find someone else. If you’re using excessively cheap products, there’s a good chance things will end up being more expensive for you in the long run. This is because the materials will likely have to be replaced when you could’ve got it right the first time of asking. Exactly what kind of service is the brickwork supplier providing? If the supplier you’re after has a product range that you can trust and feel comfortable about using, then the next thing to determine is how they operate. There are quite a few things here you have to consider. Is next-day delivery an option? If so, what is the latest time to order? And do I have to pay for the delivery? On the topic of delivery, will my goods come on a courier or will they be delivered by a van as part of the company’s fleet? How about their customer service team? Are they reachable at all times during the business day, or is it email contact only? When it comes to ordering, how can I do so? Is it only by phone or by email, or is there an online portal? Every single one of these questions will have to be asked and the information should be very easy to discover. What do Multifix offer? In our case, we do offer next-day delivery and the cut-off time is 5pm. However, for pallet couriers and nationwide delivery, the cut-off time is 4pm. We also have a minimum order value of £50 for free delivery.   Depending on where you are ordering from, your delivery will come on one of our own vans, driven by one of our own drivers. You can check every postcode that we deliver to here.  Our knowledgeable customer service team is available 8:30-5 via phone, WhatsApp or email and will take orders for you. Equally, we do have an online customer portal you can use for ordering. If you come across a company that isn’t being transparent in what they offer, you are better off avoiding them altogether. Choosing a brickwork supplier that is right for you Like we said at the beginning, what matters most is that you have a supplier that is right for you. They need to be able to work to your schedule. The chances are, if you can find one with a good product range and with good service, you’ll be onto a winner. In turn, this makes your life a lot easier as you can order with confidence and build a great relationship with that supplier. If you wish to speak with us about the possibility of being your brickwork sundries supplier, or even recommending one, you can get in contact with us here.

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Article
Should you split your business or use one supplier?

As a company, you just want things to run smoothly. You want to know you’re getting reliability, good service and ultimately, a good deal for what you’re paying for. If you’re getting late deliveries and noticing product order costs are going up despite being cheaper elsewhere, it’s going to rankle you. You start to get the feeling that you’re being treated like just another number instead of a human being. No one likes being treated as a number instead of a customer. If this sounds relatable to you, then it may be time for a supplier switch. However, it isn’t always as simple as that. It is also one of the reasons why some split their business among multiple suppliers, rather than just using one. Even with bad service, some would rather stick with a company in some capacity as it’s a lot less hassle than making a change, as opposed to cutting ties. Which is best for you, though? Is it better to put all your eggs in one basket with one company, or play the field and use several? One way to come to a decision is by trialling a supplier first. That way, you stick with your existing supplier in the short term, but can test the waters with another and then decide whether to split or switch. While we can’t (and won’t) directly tell you and your company what to do, we can outline the pros and cons of both scenarios, so you can make a more informed decision. Ultimately, we want what is best for you and your company and as such, we are going to explore both options in this article for you. What are the pros of splitting your business? In some ways, you arguably have more power when you split your business. It’s the same when doing a food shop and you go to different supermarkets; some will have items cheaper than others, so you use all of them to get the best price. You also aren’t stuck if something goes wrong. If you need something the next day for example and one company can’t do it, there’s a good chance you’ll find one who can. This also extends to product quality or preference. You may prefer a certain type of product that one company does over another, so you aren’t restricted as to what you can or can’t get. Following on from that, there may be a product that one company stocks that another doesn’t. Keeping your options open means you won’t have to settle for less.  What about the pros of staying with one company? In terms of ease, having one company is definitely simpler than juggling several. If you only have one company to order from, that saves time than ordering with many. As such, it can be more efficient to just have one. You will also have much better relationships with the one supplier, as over time, your business will be valued and appreciated. It also stops you trying to spin a lot of plates. Rather than try and manage relationships with multiple suppliers, you can focus on gaining the most from one.  In fact, this can work in your favour as if you are a long-term customer, you’re likely to get preferential treatment compared to a new customer. This can even extend to having better support and even discounts. That is something we do at Multifix, with a policy that the more you spend, the better the rewards for you. What cons are there for splitting your business? The main con is the amount of extra admin to juggle. More suppliers means more relationships and that means more effort. It means multiple invoices, as well as different systems to navigate. This in itself is an issue. According to research from Gartner, the average UK cost of processing an invoice ranges between £4 and £25. In some instances, if errors are made, it can be up to £50 per invoice. Also, while you may be sniping for all the cheapest prices, that can actually work against you. As an example, let’s say you make three orders from three companies because they have the cheapest prices. That’s great, but if it’s under the minimum delivery cost for each, you’ll end up paying more. It could be cheaper to buy it all with one and get free delivery than split it all among several and pay added costs. Finally, you’ll always likely be treated as a number with multiple suppliers. Because you won’t be using them exclusively, you’re likely to miss out on the best rates and the best level of service.  As such, you also won’t have much of an opportunity to strike long-lasting relationships. Your business will still be appreciated, of course, but they’ll see it as having little reason to give you special treatment.  And the cons of using only one supplier? The main con of only using one supplier is that you potentially run the risk of being taken for granted. You might find you’re not getting discounts or improved service despite your loyalty, which can be hugely frustrating. Likewise, they may become complacent with you on other things. Say a delivery is a day late, they may take the approach of, “oh it’s only so and so, that’s alright.” Naturally, you don’t want this. If something happens with that company as well, whether it's a logistical disruption or financially related, you’re a bit stuck. At least with other suppliers, you can navigate this, but with one, it’s difficult. Lastly, you might be missing out on better products elsewhere. The company you’re solely using might have a good alternative, but if they don’t stock exactly what you want, that can be challenging. So, what’s best for me? Ultimately, that’s only a question you can answer. As we said at the start of the article, we won’t tell you what to do with your business. What we will say though, is if you are using one supplier and you aren’t getting the benefits listed, you should definitely consider finding a new one. No one wants to be taken for granted and everyone wants the best offers, so it’s important you get the maximum from your supplier. If you would like to open a dialogue on how Multifix can help you, as either a sole supplier or as another one for you to use, you can contact us here. 

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Article
Battle of the screws: Plug and screw vs masonry screw

For years, it’s seemed as if the plug and screw has been the go-to screw for carpenters. Reliable, effective and trustworthy, it’s easy to see why it’s been such a staple.  However, some have voiced that they take too long to install and have been looking for alternatives. In fact, some of you have told us that you’re preferring to go with masonry screws instead, which is very interesting. Which is better though? Is the plug and screw still the undisputed number one for carpenters, or have things changed? In light of your comments, we have decided to put a comparison article together to try and find out. We stock both plug and screws and masonry screws, so we have no bias either way, but we’ve provided an objective touch to the question. By the end, you’ll know the strengths and weaknesses of each and that in itself will hopefully be enough to let you decide which is best for your projects. What are the key differences between the two screws? A plug and screw is a plastic plug and a screw. The plug goes into a pre-drilled hole in the wall and then the screw is threaded into it. As you thread the screw, the plug expands within the wall and you get a very strong grip as a result. A plug and screw can be used for things like joinery, furniture assembly, trim work and more.  Meanwhile, a masonry screw also needs a pre-drilled hole, but it’s much stronger than a plug and screw. So much so, that it can be used for harder materials, such as concrete. A masonry screw can also be used for securing wooden fixtures, attaching wood to concrete and staircase installation.  In addition, a masonry screw won’t need a plug either as it will self-tap its way into the material. It’s worth noting that you wouldn’t use either for things like fine joinery, wood-to-wood joinery or hardwood applications.  What makes the plug and screw stand out? There are a number of reasons why the plug and screw is favoured, none more so than the fact it’s widely available and also cheap. A box of 200 Nylon Hammer Through Fixings - Plug & Screw M5 x 50mm - 25mm Fixing costs £9.73 ex. VAT, for example.  If you ever run out, you’ll likely never have the issue of scrambling around trying to find some, as everyone will have them. When it comes to actually installing a plug and screw, you don’t need too much either. Aside from a pre-drilled hole, all you need is a screwdriver and then you’re good to go. Also, you’re much less likely to cause damage to the wall you’re screwing into. This is because of the plug part, which spreads the impact load over a wider area. As such, you’re less likely to have cracks or holes in the wall when using a plug and screw. And what makes a masonry screw so useful? The main pro for a masonry screw is its strength. They are very strong and can handle a sizable amount of weight, which is especially useful when attaching shelves or brackets. It’s difficult to put an exact weight limit on a masonry screw, as many things have to be taken into consideration. This includes the strength of the material and the size of the screw. That being said, anything up to 45kg should be fine.  They are also much easier to install, as you don’t need the plug element of the plug and screw to get it to fit. As soon as the hole is pre-drilled, you’re away. Also, while they are predominantly designed for heavier materials such as concrete, they can also be used for wood. This makes them quite versatile too, which can come in extremely handy depending on what your project is. Where does a plug and screw come short? The main con for a plug and screw is the one we led this article with; the time it takes to actually install. As you have to pre-drill a hole first, then line up the plug right, then finally thread the screw, what’s a simple task can take a while. In addition, that isn’t necessarily enough to guarantee proper installation. If any of the hole size, alignment or screw insertion is wrong, you risk both damage and a weak hold. If you do want something slightly heavier than normal too, the plug and screw can struggle. They can provide some strength and aren’t exactly weak, but they maybe aren’t the best bet for heavier items. And the cons of a masonry screw? While you can use a masonry screw in a lighter material, such as drywall and timber, there is the possibility it’s excessive. You could end up splitting the timber by pushing the masonry screw too far, while it might not be as strong in a lighter material as it is in a heavier one. This happens when the thread doesn’t work with the material as well as it would in say, concrete or brick. As such, it gives a weaker hold. Also, due to the force of the masonry screw, you do run the risk of surface damage. As such, you’ll have to take care when using it, so there’s also an element of skill needed to utilise it properly. How to choose between plug and screw and masonry screws If time is on your side, then the plug and screw is still the best choice, all things considered. It’s cheap, it’s effective, it’s reliable and while it can be a little fiddly with the pre-drilled hole and the fitting, it’s still a top solution. Equally, if you’re against the clock and you’re well within your budget, then a masonry screw is a better choice. You’ll be able to get a job done very quickly using masonry screws, assuming the material you’re working with isn’t too weak.  If you would like to browse our plug and screws and masonry screws range, you can do so by clicking the links. Equally, if you would like to discuss pricing options or to find out more, you can do so here.

Read more → 5 min read
Article
The two key problems with technical support in the PFP sector and how Multifix can help

Having great technical support in the PFP sector is something of a necessity. Whether it’s having a direct line to technicians or needing training, it’s needed. However, some can find it challenging to come across. This is a concern, as with something as imperative as safety on the line, you will need good technical support. Without it, life becomes very difficult. You run the risk of being using certain products wrong and could face delays from waiting for things to be sorted.  In this article, we will highlight how our technical support stands out and how it can be a real asset for you moving forward. It is worth noting that the technical support we offer is run by Protecta, who are a partner of ours.  We are choosing to reference them in this article as we have picked out the two most common pain points. As such, we’ve also been able to identify how we believe we can solve them for you. Assessment details taking too long Picture the scene. A firestopping contractor or a surveying company has gone for a site inspection. After looking at it, they realise they’ll need an assessment test before continuing. For those unaware, assessment details are where the manufacturer carries out a non-standard detail on what you require, then approves it or not. The manufacturer writes an assessment based on evidence from tested details and if there is enough evidence, will give sign off. This can prove especially useful when you have something of a unique challenge that you need to overcome. The issue comes from site managers being told they won’t be able to have one for three weeks due to a lack of time or availability.  That subsequently means three weeks of standstill or scrambling about for other products to get the job done. However, it doesn’t have to be so drastic. Just what does an assessment detail entail? As per the Passive Fire Protection Forum (PFPF) ‘Guide to Undertaking Technical Assessments of the Fire Performance of Construction Products Based on Fire Test Evidence’, this is what an assessment detail looks for: Whether they can “extend the scope of the design/application of a product” To “provide confidence and compliance in the product” To “underpin the scope of certification” The assessment detail must be “robust and written by competent individuals,” which is to be expected given safety is on the line.  If the product fails in any of these categories, it’s essentially back to the drawing board. But what’s imperative is that you know sooner, rather than later.  Whenever one of our customers needs an assessment, we turn to Protecta. Protecta normally respond to such queries on the same day and they aspire to respond to all queries within 24 hours. If they can detail it, the wait time for the detail is three to five days. It’s hard to be exact because of things like drawings that could be needed, but you’ll have an answer within a full working week. It’s worth noting that Protecta always try to adhere to standard, tested details where possible. This is because any assessment is site specific.  You may have limited access to training Whether it’s for new starters or just to fully maximise your output, training sessions are essential and can have a very positive impact. Be it to fully learn how to utilise a product or to gain a better understanding of why PFP is needed, training is essential.  However, it can be difficult to arrange for training sessions to take place. Sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint a location and sometimes it’s difficult to get instructors to come at a time that suits. What we can do is offer you professional training with a Protecta expert, free of charge, in a location of your convenience. We can have a Protecta expert at your customer office, or in some instances on site, to talk you through the products and the training. It’s worth noting though, that this face-to-face training is primarily educational. There are only a few customer offices that can accommodate hands-on, practical training, which can be problematic. However, we are one of those. Our training room at our warehouse in Barking can be booked for training, at no cost to Multifix customers, for you and your team. Here, we can show you exactly how to use the products and answer any questions you may have, removing the chance of mistakes on-site. Multifix can help you get things right Delays or improper use of products can be hugely detrimental to those in the passive fire protection industry, so good technical support is vital.  As we said earlier in the article, there are a lot of companies out there supplying the PFP sector that offer a great level of technical support. But, with the free training, quick response times and assessment details, we have something maybe better for you. Combined with Protecta’s expertise, we are confident that our technical support can boost efficiency and make life easier. It’s certainly something that we believe and it’s certainly something that we will be more than happy to try and prove to you. If you would like to find out more about technical support, please get in touch here to speak to one of our expert team. Equally, if you want to directly get in touch with the Protecta technical support team, you can email them here. 

Read more → 4 min read
Article
Three ways Multifix is serious about sustainability

As the days, months and years go by, the need for companies to be more energy-efficient and sustainable continues to grow. After all, if every company actively tries to have more sustainable measures, that can only be a good thing for the planet, right? It’s certainly something we believe at Multifix as we have actively tried to be more responsible with how we operate. Even things like our LED motion-activated lighting, which turns off automatically if there’s no movement for a time, play a part. You may be wondering why this is important to you, but it can be a good thing for your ESG, too. For those unaware, ESG is a framework that stands for environmental, social and governance.  Construction companies in the UK are judged on their ESG and those with net zero claims are judged on their output.  As such, using a more sustainable company is a huge boost for you as a customer. However, we have a few things that we do with one eye firmly on our sustainability as we constantly look for ways to be net zero. While we are far from perfect, we believe these three things in particular prove that we are taking sustainability seriously. Our packaging To drastically reduce our use of single-use plastic, we have made it mandatory that all our deliveries are sent in cardboard packaging. While we know that paper/cardboard comes from trees, trees are regenerative, so it’s the most ecological way of carrying your goods.  This packaging can also be recycled, which is also helpful. Single-use plastic, as well as being non-biodegradable, frequently ends up in oceans or waterways and that can harm wildlife.  As well as that, even creating single-use plastic adds to greenhouse emissions due to what is needed to make it, so we’re happy to not use it.   When it comes to pallets, it’s a slightly different story, but we still try and do what we can. All of our shrink wrapping is recyclable and we have a robot that wraps the pallets themselves. The robot stretches the shrink wrap to the perfect point, which gives us maximum efficiency. It also stops the customer from having too much and cuts down our waste as we’re only using the correct amount. The materials that bring the shrink wrap to our warehouse are also recycled. Again, if you’re looking to go net zero, actions like this will indirectly help you. We’ve installed air-source heat pumps Instead of having a gas or electric heating system, we have installed air-source heat pumps at our main office in Maidstone, Kent. Compared to traditional heating systems, air-source heat pumps are much more environmentally sound. That’s because they use air as their heat source instead of fossil fuels, so there are no greenhouse gas emissions. For those wondering how they work, the heat pumps extract outside air and use that to generate heat. This works even in the harsh winter, so it’s an all-year-round solution. Out of all the things we do to try and achieve net zero, having air-source heat pumps is perhaps one of the most innovative ways to do so. Considering the environment with our vans This is perhaps the hardest one to try and manage given the need for fuel, but we still make an effort to cut our carbon footprint with our vans. All of our routes are mapped carefully so that we only use the fuel that we need, thus avoiding any unnecessary journeys. For example, we won’t have a driver doing a triangle trip of Bristol, Norwich and then Romford. In addition, our FORS Silver accredited vans are all Euro 6 compliant. Euro 6 is a regulation that comes with an emissions limit, requiring engine gases to be treated before being released through the exhaust. When acquiring our fleet of vans, this was something that was considered before every purchase, as we try and limit our carbon footprint.  Also, the cars our sales fleet have are all hybrid or electric. We also have electric charging points at our head office. A sustainable future As mentioned earlier, we know that we aren’t perfect. There is more we can do and we are always looking into ways we can be more sustainable. One example of something we have an eye on is the emergence of electric-powered vans. While we aren’t in a position to utilise them just now, it’s something definitely on our radar. Ultimately, if every company sticks to the ethos of being greener and more sustainable, it can only benefit all of us. If you would like any further information on how we’re trying to be more sustainable at Multifix, you can get in touch with us here. Equally, you can see our sustainability pledges here. 

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Diisocyanates regulations in 2023: how do they affect you?

If you work in carpentry, then your professional life would’ve changed overnight on August 24, 2023, because of a new regulation. As of that date, the laws around using diisocyanates changed and we’ve heard from a few of you that you aren’t entirely sure where you now stand. For those unaware, diisocyantes are used to make polyurethanes. They can be found in sealants, adhesives and foams, amongst other things. They are dangerous for humans and can cause irritation on the skin and in the eyes. More serious side effects include having occupational asthma. To help confusion, we have put this article together for you to tell you all you need to know and to save you a headache. That being said, you can read the whole regulation here. Come the end of it, you’ll know exactly what’s happened, how it affects you and what your next steps are moving forward. What are the regulations? On January 1, 2021, it was announced that the EU REACH regulation would be brought into effect in the UK. In short, EU REACH is a regulation of the European Union. It seeks “to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals,” as per its website. Given the harm diisocyanates can cause humans, since 2008, EU regulations have classified them as a category one skin sensitiser and respiratory sensitiser. As per the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), this means that diisocyanates “may cause an allergic skin reaction.” In addition, they also “may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.” You may also be wondering how the UK can be governed by an EU law post-Brexit, but that is because EU REACH falls under the retained EU legislation list. Polyurethanes are quite commonplace within the carpentry world, so having the regulation set in stone is a big deal. So are diisocyanates banned as of now, then? No, not at all. What is new though, is that unless you are using diisocyanates in an extremely small concentration, you will need training. By extremely small concentration, we mean products with a total diisocyante concentration of less than 0.1%.  However, products with less than 0.1% are extremely rare. Even a normal 750ml tube of Fire and Acoustic Seals’ Fire Door Foam has more than 0.1%, for context. This is stated in the new regulation; “As from 24 August 2023, adequate training is required before industrial or professional use.” The training courses aren’t particularly long, with the ones most applicable ranging from 30-40 minutes in length. In addition, your training certificate will need to be renewed every five years. You can do all the training online though, which is useful. It will cost you €5, but can be free - we explain where, when and how below.  Where can I get the training? A new website from Safe Use of Diisocyantes has gone live, for the purpose of training. This gives you the choice of either doing self-learning or registering for sessions with a trainer. The link for the Safe Use of Diisocyantes website is here. If you choose to do the self-learning, this costs €5 (about £4.29) per user or certificate. However, you can also get the training for free. The Association of the European Adhesive and Sealant Industry, otherwise known as FEICA, is offering a code that’ll remove the €5 cost. You can access that code here. The discount code only covers certain parts, but it covers everything you need to work in the construction industry. It covers: One-component PU foams (048) Joint sealants (048) Flooring adhesives and coatings (049, includes 048) Crack injection resins (050, includes 048) Plumbing (048) Carpentry (048) Realistically, it’ll be course 048 that you’ll need to do, as it covers carpentry, one-component PU foams and joint sealants. If you need to do flooring adhesives (049) or coatings or crack injection resins (050), both include 048 as well. More information can be found on the link with the code, including a designated email address for questions about the training. Clearing up the confusion around the new regulations New regulations happen all the time and while there is the initial stage of confusion, once you get your head around them, everything becomes easier. Hopefully after reading this article, you’ll know what the new regs are and how to get the training you’ll need to move forwards. Thankfully, the training courses are quite short and can be booked for free thanks to FEICA, so they won’t be too much of an inconvenience for you. If you have any further questions about the regulations, we will gladly try and help as best as we can. You can find out how to contact us here.

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Article
Comparing the benefits of fully and partially threaded screws

When it comes to picking between a fully or partially threaded screw, you’ll know that it’s normally one or the other. Both have their benefits and flaws, so it’s important that whatever one you choose is the right one for the project at hand. But what exactly do they do? What makes them different, besides the obvious? What do they do differently? That’s what we’re going to answer for you in this article. Multifix supplies a wide range of screws, so we will take a look at what both of them do, what their pros and cons are and how they differ. Come the end of the article, you’ll have everything you need to know which screw is right for your upcoming project! Fully threaded vs. partially threaded – what are the key differences? As you can tell by the name, the main difference is the screw itself. A fully-threaded screw will have a thread going all the way to the tip of the screw head. It is also made up of three parts – the head, shaft and tip. Meanwhile, a partially threaded screw will have a thread about half the length of the screw. The remaining part of the screw is a completely smooth section, which helps with clamping (more on that later). Like the fully-threaded screw, it is made up of a head, shaft and tip, but the shaft is both threaded and unthreaded. Pros of the fully-threaded screw With a fully-threaded screw, you can drill straight into the material and the surface it’s being drilled into won’t split. When it comes to working with wood, this is especially important to note. This is down to the way the screw is designed and in addition, they generally come with a self-tapping tip, which ensures the hold. Because the thread goes all the way to the top, fully-threaded screws are a one-and-done type of screw, in that it shouldn’t come loose in the future. Pros of the partially threaded screw                                              What makes a partially threaded screw so useful is that it guarantees a better fit. Basically, the threaded part of the screw only goes into the bottom piece, so it pulls it in tighter and clamps it down better. This is made possible because of the smooth part of the screw. As there is only part of the screw that has a thread, the thread hones in on the bottom piece, with the smooth part flowing through to keep things tight. Effectively having a level of auto-clamping is a huge boost. Sometimes, it’s just not possible to be able to clamp two pieces of material together with a vice. Cons of fully-threaded screw The main con to a fully-threaded screw is that it is very prone to jacking. Jacking is when the threads in both materials become separated. The thread in the top part of the material holds it up, thus making it impossible to clamp properly. Unless both materials are physically clamped down with a vice, there is a high risk that a fully-threaded screw will cause jacking. As mentioned above, sometimes it isn’t easy or possible to have two materials physically clamped together. If you’re working in a tight space, this is something you need to consider. Cons of a partially threaded screw Getting sizing right is key when it comes to partially threaded screws as if you get it wrong, you run the risk of splitting the material. If any part of the smooth side of the screw goes into the material you’re drilling into, the top material will likely bulge or split. This is because the screw would’ve gone too deep. As such, you’ll have to make sure that the screw is measured properly before use, which can be a drawback depending on what materials you’re working with. Choosing between the two There are clear differences and strengths between both screws, but whatever one you pick is going to depend on what project you’re working on. If you’ve got a lot of space and can use a vice to secure materials together, then a fully-threaded screw won’t let you down. You can also provide a lot of long-term security by having one fitted properly, too. If things are a bit tighter space-wise, or if you just want a better fit, then partially-threaded screws should be your go-to. Just be sure to make sure that your partially threaded screws are the right size before you use them, if you so choose to go down that route. If you would like some further information on the type of screws we provide, or some extra clarification, you can reach our expert team here. Equally, if you need something now, you can see the variety of screws we stock at Multifix here.  

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Article
Three reasons why Multifix brand jigsaw and reciprocating blades

Having a good jigsaw or reciprocating blade when doing a job is incredibly important. If the blades are poorly made or weak, you’ll replace them often, while also running the risk of delivering poor results and costing you money. That is one of the reasons why we stock Bosch blades, both recip and jigsaw. They are proven, reliable and brilliantly made. It is also one of the reasons why Multifix have decided to own-brand quality jigsaw and reciprocating blades. That isn’t to say we’re going to be a direct competitor to Bosch – that isn’t the case at all. However, we feel we have something that can help you. Here are three ways we believe that Multifix-branded jigsaw and recip blades can help you with your projects. The blades are good The need for proven quality when working with blades is huge and a big part of that comes from where the blades were made.  The Multifix branded blades, like other leading manufacturers, are made in Germany. This isn’t to say that they’re better or worse, just made with the same quality aspirations.  Having the blades German-made was a requirement for us, as we know that is synonymous with reliable quality. In addition, we have factored in the most popular types and sizes for our range. We have wood and metal jigsaw blades that cut to 50mm, 60mm and 67mm, while also having options for clean, coarse and clean fine cuts. As for our recip range, we have blades for wood and bi-metal, that can cut to 60, 190mm, 100mm and 180mm. These come in clean and coarse fast cut for wood blades, while we offer clean to 3-8mm thickness for the bi-metal blades. We have more control over our stock From a logistical perspective, having our own-branded blades does make life a lot easier for both ourselves and you. As they are our own brand, we have full say over production, quality and stock control. As we don’t have to go to a middle-man in the manufacturer, we have greater control. This means that we can stick to our policy of having at least three months’ worth of stock in our warehouse at any one point. It’s worth noting that we strive to do this for other blades too, but naturally, controlling branded stock is going to be easier for us. By having greater availability, if you’re ever in a spot, we will have something that can help you at very short notice, no questions asked. It’ll be cheaper for you Perhaps most importantly from a financial perspective, by branding our blades, we can set the prices. As there’s no additional margin to share, that therefore allows us to sell the blades to you at a much cheaper price than other blades. For context, you can get a pack of five jigsaw blades clean cut to 30mm for £5.90 ex. VAT. By contrast, our Bosch jigsaw blades for wood clean fine cut will cost £14.70 ex. VAT, so there is quite a difference.  The blades are designed to be long lasting too, so we very much believe that we are offering value for money with them. A different solution Ultimately, we want to move into this market as we feel we have something to offer. We couldn’t be prouder of the blades and we believe they’ll be an asset for you. We understand that there may be some hesitation to switching from a leading brand for our branded blades and that’s ok.  As mentioned earlier, we do still sell Bosch blades and that won’t be stopping anytime soon. If you still wish to purchase those, then we will gladly assist. However, we are confident that we have a product that can make a difference for you, while also costing you less and being more readily available. If you would like to speak to our customer service team to find out more about the blades, you can find out how to do so here. Equally, if you wish to see the range for yourself, you can find that here. *prices correct as of September 2023

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